<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated0Balance Sheets
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Form 10-Q.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000061004
<NAME> LYNCH CORPORATION
       
                                        
<PERIOD-TYPE>                              6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                          24,553
<SECURITIES>                                     1,682
<RECEIVABLES>                                   51,228
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,650
<INVENTORY>                                     38,426
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               132,502
<PP&E>                                         209,363
<DEPRECIATION>                                  54,374
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 416,708
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           97,658
<BONDS>                                        240,437
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,139
<OTHER-SE>                                      35,109
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   416,708
<SALES>                                        230,205
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               230,205
<CGS>                                          196,850
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  217,853
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,277
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,263
<INCOME-TAX>                                       902
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                738
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                       738
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52